The Monday Round-Up: So Long 2017

2017 Season in Review

This time of year, is traditionally a period of reflection and celebration. Fans and enthusiasts of IRONMAN have been gifted with plenty outstanding performances throughout the year from the pro ranks as well as compelling athletic and personal feats from our age group competitors who prove week in, week out that "Anything is Possible."

Take some time during this holiday season to look back at an exciting 2017 race season in articles, photos and coverage.

40 for 40: Commemorative Kona Slots up for Grabs

To help celebrate 40 years of IRONMAN racing across the globe, IRONMAN is excited to make available 40 commemorative slots to the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i. Eligible athletes who register for any of our open 2018 IRONMAN events globally by January 14th, 2018 will be automatically entered for a chance to purchase one of these 40 commemorative slots.

Quest for Kona Season 2: Lights, Camera Action

Do you have a story to tell?

Quest for Kona

IRONMAN Quest for Kona which just finished airing its first full season on NBCSN and Red Bull TV to positive reviews, is scheduled to air in 2018 and will profile ten athletes from around the world as they embark on their journey to qualifying for the most iconic single-day endurance event, the IRONMAN World Championship which will take place in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i on October 13, 2018. Throughout the series, athletes will evolve physically and emotionally as they pursue the goal of competing among the best in the world.

"We are excited to embark on our search for the next set of IRONMAN competitors who are willing to share their stories of dedication and perseverance in working toward their ultimate goal - qualifying for the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship," said Christopher Stadler, Chief Marketing Officer of IRONMAN. "I am confident that we are going to have another cast of remarkable athletes looking to share their extraordinary and awe-inspiring stories."

The Buzz: What We're Reading, Gossiping About, and Loving in the Endurance Sports World

Photo: Courtesy photo TwinCities.com

That’s Phat

Because for some athletes, riding 112 miles on a traditional tri bike isn’t challenge enough, friends Vicki Ostendorf and Dave Cossack competed in IRONMAN Florida on fat bikes. Read about their friendship and fat bike experience in this article from the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. For the record, Ostendorf and Cossack, who stuck together during the race, completed the bike leg in just under seven hours.

Booyah for Bikenomics!

Bikes are good for business. So shows a recent study of sales data from MasterCard, focused on Bikenomics—the theory that making cities and towns bike-friendly boosts the economy. This article from Bikebiz.com has the details.

Helping and Your Health

Think training and racing is the only way to maintain your health? Actually, volunteering benefits your body, too. In this episode of the Kindness Podcast, Allan Luks, a renowned expert on volunteerism, discusses the phenomenon he dubs the "Helper’s High." Much like the "Runner’s High," helping others feels good—and it’s good for you. In fact, says Luks, research shows that people who volunteer regularly feel better, live longer, and have less stress. So next time your local race director calls for volunteers, put your hand up!

Find an IRONMAN Race

Find an IRONMAN 70.3 Race

2018 KPR Standings

Starting on August 26, 2017, professional athletes began earning points for Kona Qualifying correlating to their finish position. The top 50 male and 35 female pros in the KPR (excluding AQ Champions slots) at the end of each qualifying year will qualify to race in Kona.